Why Smoking Weed is Actually Bad/Good For You

The Infographics Show
11 Jan 202413:42

Summary

TLDRThis script presents a mock trial of 'Sweet Mary Jane,' exploring the controversial effects of cannabis on health. It delves into the plant's impact on mental health, sleep, physical performance, pain management, and serious diseases like cancer and MS. The debate covers both the potential benefits and risks, including anxiety reduction, sleep disruption, impaired coordination, and possible links to heart issues and lung cancer, leaving viewers to decide the verdict on cannabis's overall impact.

Takeaways

  • 🌿 **Cannabis Aliases**: The plant has various names, including Sweet Mary Jane, Cannabis, Weed, Grass, Hash, and Ganja.
  • 🧬 **Endocannabinoid System**: The body has an endocannabinoid system with cannabinoid receptors that THC, the active ingredient in cannabis, can interact with.
  • 🧠 **Brain Effects**: THC affects several brain areas, including the hippocampus, orbitofrontal cortex, hypothalamus, basal ganglia, and cerebellum, with notable effects on the reward system.
  • đŸš« **Mental Health Concerns**: While some users report reduced anxiety and depression, cannabis can also exacerbate symptoms in individuals with bipolar disorder and potentially lead to other mental health issues.
  • đŸ’€ **Sleep Impact**: Short-term cannabis use may aid sleep by increasing deep sleep but can reduce REM sleep, affecting memory and emotional processing.
  • đŸƒâ€â™‚ïž **Physical Performance**: Long-term marijuana use can decrease reflexes, reaction times, and physical coordination, negatively impacting athletic performance and making activities like driving dangerous.
  • đŸ„ **Pain Management**: Cannabis is used for chronic pain management and has been effective for conditions like fibromyalgia, endometriosis, and migraines, posing less risk than opioids.
  • 💊 **Medical Use**: Cannabinoid medications have shown promise in treating inflammatory bowel diseases, autoimmune disorders, glaucoma, and spasticity in conditions like Multiple Sclerosis and epilepsy.
  • 🚭 **Cardiovascular Risks**: Cannabis use can increase heart rate and blood vessel dilation, posing risks to individuals with pre-existing heart conditions and potentially increasing the risk of heart attacks.
  • đŸ€° **Pregnancy and Development**: High-THC marijuana use during pregnancy can affect fetal development, increase the risk of stillbirth, and lead to lower birth weight.
  • đŸ”„ **Cancer and Chemotherapy**: While cannabis cannot cure cancer, it has been shown to alleviate chemotherapy side effects like nausea, vomiting, neuropathic pain, and appetite loss.

Q & A

  • What is the main subject of the trial in the video script?

    -The main subject of the trial is 'Sweet Mary Jane,' a colloquial term for cannabis, which is also known by other names such as Weed, Grass, Hash, and Ganja.

  • How does the endocannabinoid system in the human body interact with THC?

    -The endocannabinoid system is a network of neurotransmitters with cannabinoid receptors attached to neurons in the brain. THC, the active psychoactive chemical in cannabis, attaches to these receptors, hijacking key systems in the brain and nervous system to produce its effects.

  • What are the potential mental health benefits of cannabis mentioned in the script?

    -The script mentions that cannabis, particularly CBD and low doses of THC, can help regulate mental health by reducing anxiety, mitigating depression, and decreasing the frequency of panic attacks in people suffering from PTSD.

  • What are some of the negative mental health effects associated with THC?

    -Negative mental health effects of THC can include exacerbation of symptoms for those with bipolar disorder, depressive episodes due to changes in neural reward pathways, and increased anxiety, irritability, and paranoia in some users.

  • How does cannabis potentially affect sleep?

    -Cannabis can suppress physical arousal and promote the creation of adenosine, making users feel sleepy. However, long-term use may lead to reduced sleep quality, less deep sleep, and more frequent night-time wakings.

  • What are the implications of cannabis use for athletes?

    -Habitual cannabis use can decrease reflexes, reaction times, and physical coordination, which can be detrimental to athletic performance. Additionally, driving under the influence of cannabis is dangerous and illegal.

  • How does cannabis potentially aid in pain management?

    -Cannabis alters the brain’s processing of pain, making it useful for conditions like fibromyalgia, endometriosis, and chronic migraines. It is considered a less risky form of pain relief compared to opioids.

  • What is the relationship between cannabis use and cardiovascular health?

    -Cannabis use can raise the heart rate, dilate blood vessels, and make the heart pump harder, potentially leading to greater chest pains and an increased risk of heart attacks in those predisposed to heart issues.

  • What are the potential risks of cannabis use for pregnant women and children?

    -For pregnant women, cannabis use can affect the healthy development of the fetus and increase the likelihood of stillbirth and lower birth weight. Children of chronic marijuana users are more likely to experience developmental issues.

  • What are some of the potential benefits of cannabis in treating cancer and its side effects?

    -While cannabis cannot cure cancer, it has been shown to relieve some of the worst chemotherapy side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, neuropathic pain, and appetite suppression.

  • What are the potential risks associated with smoking cannabis in relation to lung health?

    -Habitual smoking of cannabis can increase the risk of bronchitis and lung cancer, despite it being less harmful to the lungs than tobacco smoking.

Outlines

00:00

🌿 The Trial of Sweet Mary Jane: Health Effects of Cannabis

This paragraph sets the stage for a debate on the health effects of cannabis, also known as Sweet Mary Jane, Weed, Grass, Hash, and Ganja. It introduces the topic by questioning whether cannabis is beneficial or harmful, and outlines the process of how smoking cannabis affects the body, particularly the endocannabinoid system and its impact on neurotransmitters and brain regions like the Amygdala and Ventral Striatum. The paragraph also touches on the release of dopamine induced by THC, the psychoactive component of cannabis, and its comparison to other pleasurable activities.

05:01

💭 Mental Health Implications of Cannabis Use

The second paragraph delves into the effects of cannabis on mental health. It presents arguments from both sides, highlighting how some users claim cannabis helps regulate anxiety and depression, with CBD and low doses of THC potentially reducing anxiety by affecting the limbic system and mitigating panic attacks in PTSD sufferers. Conversely, the paragraph also discusses the prosecution's stance, pointing out that THC's effects can vary and may exacerbate mental health issues like bipolar disorder, induce depressive episodes, and cause irritability and paranoia in some individuals. The paragraph also addresses the potential for cannabis to trigger or worsen psychotic symptoms, especially in those predisposed to schizophrenia.

10:05

đŸ’€ Sleep, Athletic Performance, and Driving Under Influence

This paragraph discusses the impact of cannabis on sleep, initially suggesting that short-term use can promote sleep by suppressing physical arousal and increasing adenosine levels, leading to more deep sleep but less REM sleep. However, long-term use may lead to sleep disturbances and cannabis withdrawal symptoms upon cessation. The paragraph also addresses the negative effects of cannabis on athletic performance, such as decreased reflexes and reaction times, and warns against driving under the influence due to impaired judgment and motor control.

đŸ„ Pain Management and Medical Benefits of Cannabis

The fourth paragraph focuses on the role of cannabis in pain management and its medical benefits. It acknowledges that many users turn to cannabis for chronic pain relief and that cannabinoids can alter the brain's pain processing pathways. The paragraph mentions the effectiveness of cannabis in treating conditions like fibromyalgia, endometriosis, and migraines, and highlights it as a less risky alternative to opioids. Additionally, it discusses cannabis's anti-inflammatory properties, its use in treating glaucoma, and its potential benefits for diseases like Multiple Sclerosis and epilepsy, while noting the side effects and the need for case-by-case judgment.

đŸš« Risks of Cannabis Use in High-Risk Groups and Cancer Debate

The final paragraph addresses the risks associated with cannabis use in high-risk groups, including pregnant women, children, and those with heart disease. It outlines the potential harms to fetal development, the increased risk of stillbirth, and developmental issues in children of chronic users. The paragraph also touches on the contentious issue of cannabis and cancer, clarifying that while cannabis cannot cure cancer, it may help alleviate chemotherapy side effects. It also raises concerns about the potential for cannabis to cause lung issues and cancer, especially with habitual use, and invites viewers to consider the evidence and form their own opinions.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Endocannabinoid System

The endocannabinoid system is a complex cell-signaling system found throughout the body that plays a key role in regulating a variety of physiological processes including mood, memory, appetite, and pain. In the video, it is described as a network of neurotransmitters with cannabinoid receptors attached to neurons in the brain, which communicate chemical signals in the body. Anandamide, a chemical similar to THC, interacts with this system, affecting mood and other functions.

💡THC

THC, or delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, is the primary psychoactive component in cannabis. It is known for its ability to induce feelings of euphoria and alter perception, making it the central compound associated with the 'high' from marijuana use. The script discusses how THC attaches to cannabinoid receptors in the brain, affecting areas like the hippocampus and the orbitofrontal cortex.

💡Cannabis

Cannabis, also known by various aliases like 'weed' and 'ganja,' is the plant from which marijuana is derived. The video script uses the term to discuss the plant's trial as a metaphor for debating its benefits and drawbacks. It is central to the video's theme, exploring both its potential medicinal uses and its risks.

💡Anxiety

Anxiety is a mental health condition characterized by feelings of worry, fear, or unease. The script mentions that some users claim cannabis helps regulate anxiety by affecting the brain's limbic system. However, it also notes that THC can have negative effects on some individuals, potentially exacerbating anxiety.

💡Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition defined by extreme mood swings that include emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression). The video discusses how habitual cannabis use might worsen symptoms for individuals with this condition, although it clarifies that there is no evidence that cannabis causes bipolar disorder.

💡Sleep Cycle

The sleep cycle refers to the natural progression of stages a person goes through during a typical night's sleep, including REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep, which is crucial for memory and emotional processing. The script explains how short-term cannabis use might increase deep sleep but reduce REM sleep, potentially affecting memory and emotional health.

💡Pain Management

Pain management is the medical approach to preventing, alleviating, or curing pain. The video script highlights cannabis's use in managing chronic pain conditions like fibromyalgia and migraines by interacting with the brain's pain processing pathways. It contrasts this with the risks of opioid painkillers, which have higher risks of overdose and addiction.

💡Inflammation

Inflammation is part of the body's immune response to harmful stimuli, but chronic inflammation can lead to various health issues. The script discusses how cannabis's anti-inflammatory properties may be beneficial in treating conditions such as inflammatory bowel diseases and autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis.

💡Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that can cause vision loss by damaging the optic nerve. The script mentions that cannabis has been shown to reduce intraocular pressure associated with glaucoma, making it a potential treatment for this condition.

💡Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic disease that affects the central nervous system, causing a variety of symptoms including muscle weakness and difficulty with coordination and balance. The video mentions that cannabis, specifically an oral cannabinoid spray called Sativex, has been approved in multiple countries for treating MS spasticity, reducing stiffness and spasming.

💡Cancer

Cancer is a group of diseases characterized by the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells. The script addresses the contentious issue of cannabis's relationship with cancer, noting that while it cannot cure cancer, some cannabinoid compounds have shown potential in slowing cancer cell growth in lab tests. It also discusses cannabis's role in alleviating chemotherapy side effects like nausea and vomiting.

Highlights

The trial of 'Sweet Mary Jane' explores the complex nature of cannabis, examining its potential benefits and risks.

Cannabis, also known as marijuana, has various aliases including Weed, Grass, and Hash, and is associated with both therapeutic and harmful effects.

The endocannabinoid system in the human body plays a crucial role in how cannabis affects the brain and nervous system.

THC, the active chemical in cannabis, mimics the body's own anandamide, influencing the brain's reward system and inducing dopamine release.

Cannabis use can have a dual impact on mental health, potentially reducing anxiety for some while exacerbating it or causing paranoia in others.

Chronic cannabis use may affect neural reward pathways, leading to depressive episodes and motivational issues in some individuals.

While cannabis may help with short-term sleep, long-term use could disrupt sleep patterns and lead to dependence.

Athletes should consider the potential negative effects of cannabis on reflexes, reaction times, and physical coordination.

Cannabis is recognized for its potential in pain management, offering an alternative to opioids with fewer risks of overdose and addiction.

Cannabinoids have anti-inflammatory properties, beneficial for conditions such as inflammatory bowel diseases and autoimmune disorders.

Cannabis has been used to treat glaucoma by reducing intraocular pressure, a traditional application in medical marijuana.

Cannabis may mitigate symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis and has been used in cannabinoid sprays like Sativex for spasticity relief.

CBD, a non-psychoactive component of cannabis, has shown promise in treating severe forms of epilepsy.

Cannabis use can have negative cardiovascular effects, particularly for those predisposed to heart conditions.

Pregnant women and children are at higher risk for developmental issues related to cannabis use.

While cannabis cannot cure cancer, it has shown potential in alleviating chemotherapy side effects and stimulating appetite in patients.

The debate on whether cannabis causes cancer is ongoing, with some studies showing increased risks of lung and testicular cancer with chronic use.

The verdict on cannabis's benefits and drawbacks is left to the audience, reflecting the ongoing complexity and debate surrounding its use.

Transcripts

play00:00

Order in the court!

play00:01

Today, we’re putting Sweet Mary Jane on trial.

play00:04

Her other known aliases include Cannabis, Weed, Grass, Hash, and Ganja.

play00:08

She’s said by some to be an unfairly maligned miracle cure to a whole bunch of difficult

play00:13

illnesses, while others accuse her of being an express trip to becoming a burnout with

play00:17

anxiety and lung problems.

play00:19

So, what is the truth?

play00:21

Is weed good for you, bad for you, or somewhere in between?

play00:24

We’re going to hear arguments from both the defense and the prosecution, so pay close

play00:28

attention - Only you can decide if this plant is innocent or guilty.

play00:32

Let’s hear the evidence.

play00:33

How exactly does weed operate?

play00:35

And we’ll be talking about smoking it today, so let’s not worry about oils and edibles.

play00:40

When you smoke weed, you inhale that smoke down into your lungs, where the chemicals

play00:43

pass through the alveoli - the 480 million tiny air pockets you’re liable to find in

play00:49

there - and straight into the bloodstream.

play00:51

The bloodstream is the express line straight to the brain, where the real magic happens.

play00:56

The body’s got an endocannabinoid system - that’s a fancy name for the network of

play01:00

neurotransmitters known as the Cannabinoid Receptors attached to all of the neurons in

play01:04

your brain.

play01:05

These use chemicals like anandamide to communicate chemical signals in the body, and anandamide

play01:10

has an uncanny similarity to THC - the active psychoactive chemical in our defendant today.

play01:16

In sliding on in and attaching itself to the brain’s cannabinoid receptors, it hijacks

play01:20

several key systems in the brain and nervous system to produce its distinctive effect,

play01:26

including the hippocampus, the orbitofrontal cortex, the hypothalamus, the basal ganglia,

play01:31

and the cerebellum.

play01:32

But most important to the average cannabis user is its effects on the brain’s reward

play01:36

system in the Amygdala and Ventral Striatum.

play01:39

It induces the body to release spurts of dopamine, the neurochemical that gives you pleasurable

play01:44

feelings after activities like exercise, good food, and even sex - and studies have shown

play01:49

that the dopamine released as a result of THC is even more intense than the regular

play01:54

batch.

play01:55

So we know why it makes you feel good, but so does beer and chocolate cake, and no sane

play02:00

person is ever going to argue that those are good for you.

play02:02

So, now we have the proper context, let’s hear the back-and-forth arguments.

play02:07

Is it a net good or a net bad to take up smoking the devil’s lettuce?

play02:12

Before we get into the specifics of the body, let’s talk about the effects cannabis use

play02:16

can have on mental health, starting with the defense.

play02:19

Many weed users will be quick to tell you that their habitual pot smoking helps regulate

play02:23

their mental health - Taking the edge off of anxiety and mitigating depression.

play02:28

CBD and low doses of THC have been shown to reduce anxiety in some smokers due to its

play02:33

effects on the brain’s limbic system.

play02:35

In some cases, it’s also been shown to reduce the frequency of panic attacks in people suffering

play02:39

from PTSD.

play02:40

However, the prosecution would have a strong case in saying that this is a double-edged

play02:45

sword.

play02:46

The effects of THC, in particular, can be vastly different from person to person and,

play02:50

in some cases, have some seriously detrimental effects on the user’s mental health.

play02:54

For some people suffering from bipolar disorder, habitual weed smoking can make their symptoms

play02:59

worse - But don’t worry, if you don’t already have bipolar disorder, there isn’t

play03:04

any evidence that smoking weed will give it to you.

play03:06

However, that doesn’t mean that chronic weed smoking might not open the door to other

play03:10

mental health struggles.

play03:12

In some users, because of chronic weed use’s effects on their neural reward pathways, they

play03:16

may require more significant quantities of dopamine in order to stay at a baseline level

play03:20

of emotion - resulting in depressive episodes.

play03:23

These reward pathway issues may also result in feelings of listlessness, low energy, and

play03:28

an inability to feel motivated.

play03:30

And while weed relieves anxiety for some, it has the opposite in others - Causing edginess,

play03:35

irritability, and paranoia.

play03:37

Because of the psychoactive effects of THC, some brains predisposed to psychotic symptoms

play03:41

may see these exacerbated by habitual cannabis use.

play03:44

If a user is predisposed to developing schizophrenia, then smoking weed might push them in the wrong

play03:50

direction, increasing their risk of psychotic episodes.

play03:53

This is particularly true of people who started smoking weed too young.

play03:57

But what about sleep?

play03:58

Sleep assistance is touted as one of the many benefits of marijuana, but does the science

play04:02

stack up?

play04:03

First, the defense.

play04:04

In the short term, weed seems to have this one.

play04:07

Because it suppresses physical arousal and promotes the creation of the neurological

play04:11

chemical adenosine, weed can make the user feel pleasantly sleepy, though CBD is a far

play04:17

more active part of this process than THC.

play04:19

Short-term weed use is believed to allow the user to spend more time in deep sleep, which

play04:24

will leave them feeling more refreshed when they wake up.

play04:26

However, this comes at the cost of spending less time in REM, or Rapid Eye Movement, sleep.

play04:32

This is the part of the sleep cycle where the brain processes emotions, encodes your

play04:36

memories, and allows you to dream.

play04:38

This is a huge benefit to people who take weed to alleviate their PTSD symptoms, as

play04:42

this will reduce the time they spend experiencing nightmares and stop their traumatic memories

play04:47

from being cemented too deeply into their minds.

play04:50

Some have even reported that using synthetic cannabis medication has reduced both nightmares

play04:55

and daytime flashbacks.

play04:56

However, there’s a reason we stressed “In the short term” earlier.

play05:00

The prosecution can argue that long-term cannabis use actually makes sleep harder, as the body

play05:06

can become accustomed to weed’s sedative effects, meaning that the person is forced

play05:10

to take either more or stronger cannabis strains in order to achieve the same effects.

play05:14

This, in turn, could lead to side effects like less sleep overall, less time in deep

play05:19

sleep, longer time to falling asleep, and frequent night-time wakings.

play05:24

High doses of THC before bed can also lead to side effects the next day, including lapses

play05:28

in memory and sleepiness.

play05:30

And if you decide to stop taking cannabis after a long period of doing so, you may experience

play05:34

cannabis withdrawals, which ironically can cause both insomnia and strange dreams - Bringing

play05:40

you right back to square one.

play05:42

If you’re an aspiring athlete, the science says that taking up habitual weed smoking

play05:46

probably isn’t in the best interest of your career aspirations - and for more reasons

play05:50

than the extremely frequent drug testing in the athletic field.

play05:54

Long-term marijuana use has been linked with a decrease in reflexes and reaction times,

play05:58

as well as physical coordination - owing to weed’s depressant effect on the cerebellum

play06:03

and the basal ganglia.

play06:04

For that very same reason, you shouldn’t even think about driving while under the influence

play06:08

of weed.

play06:09

Not only is it illegal, but your impaired judgment and motor control will also make

play06:13

it incredibly dangerous - So that’s a strong point in favor of the prosecution.

play06:18

One of the most critical areas for discussion on the benefits vs drawbacks of smoking weed

play06:22

is pain management.

play06:23

A considerable number of medical or even self-medicating cannabis users do so to mitigate chronic pain,

play06:30

and it's often touted as one of the significant benefits of marijuana use.

play06:34

So, do these claims hold up to scrutiny?

play06:36

Much like how cannabinoids alter the function of the reward pathways in our brain, they

play06:40

do similar things to the brain’s processing of pain.

play06:43

It’s why marijuana and CBD have been useful for people self-medicating against the effects

play06:48

of conditions like fibromyalgia, endometriosis, and chronic migraines.

play06:53

And any way you slice it, cannabis is undeniably a less risky form of pain relief than opioids

play06:58

- which pose both a greater risk of overdose and of developing addiction.

play07:03

In addition to its effects on chronic pain, weed has often been praised for its anti-inflammatory

play07:07

properties.

play07:08

Studies have found that, by targeting α3 glycine receptors, cannabinoids have been

play07:13

effective in treating inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s Disease, ulcerative colitis,

play07:18

irritable bowel syndrome, and even some severe autoimmune disorders like Rheumatoid Arthritis.

play07:23

Decreasing inflammation in the body also benefits general health, so there are no complaints

play07:28

here.

play07:29

If you suffer from glaucoma - where vision is lost due to an increase in intraocular

play07:33

pressure on the optic nerve - weed has also been shown to reduce the severity of symptoms,

play07:38

and it’s been a cause for medical marijuana usage for quite some time.

play07:42

Studies have shown that smoking weed can also be helpful in mitigating the worst effects

play07:45

of a number of serious diseases; one of the most prominent ones is Multiple Sclerosis,

play07:50

or MS - an autoimmune disease that corrodes the insulating covers of nerve cells and slowly

play07:56

debilitates the sufferer.

play07:57

There’s an oral cannabinoid spray called Sativex that has been approved for treating

play08:02

Multiple Sclerosis spasticity in 25 different countries, and it has been found to relieve

play08:07

stiffness and spasming in adult patients who haven’t been responding to other treatments.

play08:12

However, in some cases, this has been shown to have the side effect of inducing depressive

play08:16

episodes in patients - so, like with many medications, its use is best judged on a case-by-case

play08:21

basis to achieve the optimum results.

play08:24

Weeds’ tendency to counteract spasticity has also made it a useful tool for epilepsy

play08:28

patients looking to mitigate their seizures.

play08:31

Specifically, cannabinoid medication has been shown to be effective against two specific

play08:35

subtypes of epilepsy: Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome.

play08:39

But we’re not just talking about treating epilepsy with a blunt - CBD, the other active

play08:44

ingredient in cannabis aside from THC, has been shown to have the most beneficial effects.

play08:49

That’s why the cannabinoid in question, Epidiolex, is a highly purified form of CBD.

play08:54

This, however, doesn’t come without side effects - including liver damage and suicidal

play08:59

ideation.

play09:00

Once again, there are no silver bullet miracle cures here.

play09:04

Something rarely discussed about weed use is its negative effects on cardiovascular

play09:07

health in those who already suffer from heart disease - because of weed’s tendency to

play09:11

raise the heart rate, dilate blood vessels, and make the heart pump harder - which is,

play09:16

incidentally, why you feel your heart pounding in your chest while undergoing a weed-induced

play09:20

panic attack.

play09:21

Because of these effects on the heart, people with heart issues are likely to experience

play09:25

greater chest pains if they’re also habitual cannabis smokers.

play09:28

In some edge cases, there have been links drawn between marijuana use and increased

play09:32

risk of heart attacks, especially among those who are already predisposed to heart attacks

play09:36

due to pre-existing conditions.

play09:39

Cannabis use is definitely more problematic among certain high-risk groups, including

play09:43

all the ones we’ve discussed before, and, of course, children and pregnant women.

play09:47

For pregnant women, the risk posed is mainly to the healthy development of the fetus.

play09:52

Strains of cannabis with THC can even damage a baby’s development from breastfeeding

play09:56

from a habitual user.

play09:58

Pregnant women who are habitual users of high-THC marijuana are 2.3 times more likely to experience

play10:04

a stillbirth, according to some studies.

play10:06

Some reports have also indicated that pregnant mothers smoking marijuana leads to lower birth

play10:11

weight, much like regular tobacco usage.

play10:14

Children of chronic marijuana users are also far more likely to experience developmental

play10:18

issues growing up.

play10:19

This brings us to the risks present in younger people smoking weed.

play10:23

Strains of high-THC cannabis have been known to stunt the cognitive development of younger

play10:27

users, impairing both attention and memory and leading to weaker work or school performance

play10:32

later on in life.

play10:34

Some studies have even found premature marijuana use to be a risk factor for developing a dependency

play10:38

in adulthood.

play10:39

And, of course, a contentious point of argument for both sides: Cancer, the so-called Emperor

play10:44

of Maladies, killing almost ten million people per year and ruining the lives of many more.

play10:50

Proponents of cannabis say that it can relieve some of cancer’s worst effects; critics

play10:54

will say that it makes it worse.

play10:56

Let’s take a look at the science.

play10:58

One thing we should probably get out of the way first is: No, smoking weed cannot cure

play11:02

cancer.

play11:03

That would be a pretty horrific oversimplification of cancer and weed’s effects on it.

play11:07

While nobody should jump to conclusions on the human side of things here, there have

play11:10

been some extremely promising studies involving cannabinoid cancer treatments in animals.

play11:15

Some cannabinoid compounds have even successfully slowed the growth or even killed off cancer

play11:20

cells in petri dish tests.

play11:22

But again, these small successes in animals and lab conditions would still mean applying

play11:27

any of these advancements to humans would be years off if they even came through at

play11:31

all.

play11:32

Regardless of any effects weed may or may not have on cancer itself, the science is

play11:36

in on some types of cannabis helping to relieve the worst kinds of chemotherapy side effects.

play11:41

The United States Food and Drug Administration has approved two different synthetic cannabinoids,

play11:46

dronabinol and nabilone, to take the edge off of the nausea and vomiting that is often

play11:51

caused by chemotherapy treatment.

play11:53

For some people undergoing chemotherapy, there’s an even more unpleasant side effect: Peripheral

play11:58

neuropathy, a form of nerve damage that affects the nerves outside the brain and spinal column.

play12:03

It can result in tingling, burning sensations, numbness, weakness, and cramps in the hands

play12:08

and feet.

play12:09

Some studies have shown that smoking or vaping weed is able to ease neuropathic pain in chemotherapy

play12:14

patients, so it’s a common form of self-medication.

play12:17

Studies have also shown that weed can counteract the appetite-suppressant effects experienced

play12:22

by some chemotherapy patients, as well as people suffering from HIV and AIDS.

play12:27

Normally, people find the appetite increase caused by weed to be a detrimental effect,

play12:32

but for people experiencing dangerous weight loss as a result of their illness or treatment

play12:36

for their illness, it’s a godsend.

play12:39

The American Cancer Society has urged for further research into the relationship between

play12:43

cannabinoids and cancer treatment, seeing as doctors and scientists are always looking

play12:47

to add new potential weapons to their arsenal in the seemingly endless fight against cancer.

play12:52

But we know what the prosecution is thinking: Can weed cause cancer?

play12:57

Of course, smoking weed - while not as dangerous to the lungs as tobacco smoking - is still

play13:03

smoking, and the lungs aren’t designed to take in anything other than air.

play13:07

Smoking weed habitually has been shown to increase the risk of bronchitis or even lung

play13:11

cancer.

play13:12

There has even been some pretty limited research that drew a correlation between chronic weed

play13:16

usage and non-seminoma-type testicular cancer, which is far from overwhelming but still probably

play13:22

worth taking into account if you’re the kind of person who inhales as much weed as

play13:26

oxygen on a daily basis.

play13:28

The evidence is in, and now it’s time for you to make your verdict.

play13:31

People of the jury, is weed a blessing, a curse, or something in between?

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Let us know in the comments.

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Now check out “Can You Overdose On Weed?”

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Or watch this video instead!

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Étiquettes Connexes
Cannabis DebateHealth BenefitsMental HealthPain ManagementSleep ImpactAthletic PerformanceDrug TestingCBD EffectsMedical MarijuanaCancer TreatmentLegal Issues
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